Sorry, its a long one.

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This thread is about the potential Formula One market for 2013, the window for buying driver's services and signing contracts has opened with the renewal of Webber's contract. A prediction or two is going to be made, I'd like people to put forward their predictions! Here is my in-depth analysis and options page.

- Felipe Massa: The likelihood of Massa being dropped by Ferrari has somewhat been dealt a blow this weekend as Webber has extended his contract with Red Bull. Even so, Vettel is due to either commit to Red Bull before 2014, or to join Ferrari, so a one year contract is potentially up for grabs to any driver who see's the opportunity. If not, Massa stays for another year.

- Lewis Hamilton: Now for a driver of over six years in Formula One at McLaren, he has only seen success in his aims twice, 2007 when he managed to give the front runners a good show, and in 2008 when he won his championship. Since then, McLaren have started every season bar 2012 (this season) on the back foot fighting an uphill battle to even out the odds. Yet this year, McLaren have started to falter on a completely new level: They have started with the most competitive car on the grid - but the team have let him down during races and the development has ground to a halt. How long can Hamilton take this frustration (that manifested itself in Hamilton's race performances last year through penalties and irrational driving at times, by the way I am a Hamilton fan, Im not slating him).

Romain Grosjean: The dark horse of 2012, after 2009's disappointment he has bounced back after a year or two in the darkness to show his true quality in a Formula One car. Setting fastest laps, podiums, impressive qualifying performances when pitched against a ferociously competitive driver as Kimi Raikkonen, it is clear to say that with his contract up at the end of this season, the big teams will certainly have him in their eyes!

Sergio Perez: Without the same story as Grosjean's 2009 starts, Perez has been impressive this year, showing a massive improvement in his performances, Ferrari may have an eye on him as their Massa replacement should Massa be dropped!

Sebastien Vettel: Vettel has two options here, with massive circulating rumours that Vettel has the potential 2013 drive at Ferrari, leaving a space at Red Bull if he goes. Either way in 2014 if he stays on until then, the space is there, a problematic contract issue in my head is this. Vettel is contracted until 2014, when he supposedly talks with Ferrari, Webber has extended his contract for one year which takes him to 2014, will he be lured to Ferrari? even after his "I will finish my career at Red bull" claim?

Michael Schumacher: The wildcard! Schumacher has improved no doubt, but still shows no signs of competing for regular wins. How long can his patience last? And how long can the team put up with mediocre race performances? (not on Schumacher's part, on the teams part). Now here's the situation as I see it. Schumacher's retirement at the end of this season - should he retire - will throw the F1 driver market into frenzy mode with vacancies and contracts everywhere for a lot of drivers!

So now you have seen my opinion on the top driver's, here is my predictions:

- Massa -> Sauber
- Hamilton -> McLaren, Mercedes (replace Schumacher), Ferrari (replace Massa), Red Bull (replace Vettel)
- Grosjean -> tough call but could stay at Lotus
- Perez -> Ferrari
- Vettel -> Red Bull, Ferrari (replace Massa)
- Schumacher -> Retire (leaving space for Hamilton or Di Resta), Mercedes