With only seats at Formula 1's lower-end outfits up for grabs, the conflict between drivers wanting flexibility and teams craving a long-term commitment is coming to the fore.
Carlos Sainz remains the blocker that holds up the entire market, with a decision between Sauber/Audi and Williams complicated by an eleventh-hour lunge by Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore. That prompted Sainz to ask for a delay, which has not gone down particularly well at Williams.
