ALL THE SAME OVER HERE!
Josh Everts makes a statement of intent to remain in AFO, and continues with Arda Simsek and Angel Arevalo.
The debut season for Josh as a manager in AFO has been nothing short of great, the team currently sat in P7 but only 1 point behind Camber and 10 points behind FOX. With two rounds to go, P5 in the constructors is still very much on the cards! It therefore makes sense that Triple 8 extends deals with both Arda and Angel. There was some friction for Arda as he tried to join KDR halfway through Season 4, but the deal ended up going bust. Angel Arevalo was also rumoured to go and drive for his own team Maryland . However, all rumours have been dismissed as the lineup stays the same.
Another team maintaining their lineup once more is KV Group . The french based outfit of romance maintains Ryan Hawk and Petar Prentic for Season 5. It's safe to say Season 4 was a season that ultimately didn't deliver on the goals that the Yellows had set out for - despite finally ending the team's win drought in Canada, there was a lot left on the table. KV will be hoping to field both cars strongly and competitively in Season 5 with an aim of finally clinching either one of the titles. With even more competition on the horizon looming though, it's easy to say it won't be.
PUTTING OFF A NEW DEAL...WHAT COULD THAT MEAN?
Vegasport are still yet to reach a formal deal with starboy Simon Wagenvoort, the young Dutchman reportedly unhappy with his racing after Zandvoort. It's unclear whether that's a reflection on himself or the team, but the fact pen hasn't been put to paper has fuelled several rumours that Simon could be on his way out. It seems almost impossible given how synonymous Simon and Vegasport are, but in this league anything can happen. Paddock experts point towards Inforward as the likely destination for Simon - joining forces with his father could be the next step in mounting a proper title challenge.
Another driver putting off signing a new contract is Kowandoh Badu. Both team owner James Knox and Kowandoh have been full of praise for the team and the season him and the team have been having so far. Badu's efforts currently see FOX in a comfortable P5 with 2 races to go. However a lack of signature for Season 5 and rumours that Knox could be racing full time next season strongly points towards Badu possibly making a shock move away from the team. It's unclear where Badu could be looking, but he'd only ever consider leaving FOX if one of the Big Three (aka ) came knocking...of which Vegasport seems to be the most logical choice. Pundits advise fans to watch this space closely.
Our last driver still putting off a deal for next season is Alex Tudorie, who has still not signed a new deal with Banked . Tudorie came onto the scene with fire, winning 3 races so far this season. He holds the pace to win many more, and is arguably one of the hottest talents on the grid right now. Banked may not have expected Tudorie to come guns blazing and as a result could be experiencing some pull from the Big Three. The question begs: does Tudorie stay loyal to the team that gave him his big break? Does he move to one of the Big Three? Or does he pursue a project elsewhere on the grid such as FOX ? Time will tell.
